There are several methods for uploading files, such as word processing or picture files, to FirstClass for your own use, or for sharing with other users.

Note

If you are working with a large file that is on your own computer, and you, or someone who might download this file, use a slow connection consider compressing the file before uploading it. Compressed files often transfer faster and take up less space on the server.

You can share a file by attaching it to a message or by storing it in a container. If you attach the file to a message, you can add explanatory text in the message body. If you store the file in a container, it is available to anyone with access to that container.

Uploads and downloads (file transfers) take place in the background. While they are going on, you can perform other tasks, including initiating more file transfers. While file transfer is taking place, the File Transfer form is displayed, indicating file transfer progress. After transfer is complete, you can click Open Folder to open the container that holds the files you transferred. If you want this form to close automatically when file transfers are complete, select "Close when finished" before you close the form.

Although we refer to sharing files, you can also share FirstClass objects, such as documents, contacts and mail lists, bookmarks, and voice greetings. Likewise, we describe attaching files to messages, but you can also attach files to other FirstClass objects, such as documents, calendar events and tasks, and contacts.

Note

FirstClass objects attached to messages can't be transferred over the Internet.

The File Storage folder on your Desktop is a place for you to store uploaded files for your personal use. You can store files of various media, such as text, pictures, sound files, and movies. In list view, the type of file is displayed.

The File Storage folder provides toolbar buttons for all the tasks you commonly do with files, such as uploading and downloading them, previewing them, and sending them to other users.

In addition, the New Folder and Move to Folder buttons let you create subfolders for organizing your files, and move files into these folders. There are specialized folder templates for pictures, music, and movies, that provide optimized environments for those media.

The Music template has a voice player pane and a list view that includes the information, such as genre, that often accompanies an MP3 file. The files play sequentially, and there are playback controls for repeats and play order.

You can drag files to the container to upload them. If you drag files, skip the remaining step; file transfer begins immediately.

3 Select the file you want to upload.

You can select multiple files or a folder.

After a file is uploaded, it has a subject that reflects the file type. You can change this subject if desired. To do this, open the uploaded file's properties, then type the subject you want at "Subject".

About picture thumbnails

When you upload a picture, a thumbnail of that picture is used as the picture file's icon.

You can export FirstClass objects, such as messages and documents, and import them again, just as you do files.

Tip

You can export FirstClass objects that you have created to manage your disk quota on the server. The exported objects are still available, because you can import them back to the server whenever you need them. After exporting the objects, you can delete the originals on the server to free up space.

When you export a FirstClass object, it is converted to an export folder that contains the exported object in these file formats:

• content.rtf

This is the only format that preserves formatting and embedded pictures.

• content.txt

This is a plain text format.

• content.xml.

This is also a plain text format. It includes embedded XML tags.

Note

The export folder name starts with underscores. If you will ever want to import the object back into FirstClass, don't remove these underscores or rename the export folder in any other way.

An exported container is converted to a folder that contains one export subfolder for each exported object in the container.

To export a FirstClass object:

1 Select the object.

You can select multiple objects or a container.

2 Choose File > Export.

3 Select the location where you want the resulting export folder to be saved.

How attachments are handled

If you export a FirstClass object with attachments, the attachments are included in an Attachments folder within the export folder. They retain their file types.

The information in the RTF and TXT formats of the exported object includes a list of the attachments for your reference.

FirstClass lets you interrupt file transfers before they are complete, and, in some cases, resume these transfers from the point they were interrupted. You may also be able to resume file transfers that were interrupted due to problems such as power failures.

You can interrupt a file transfer as long as the Cancel button is still displayed on the File Transfer form. To interrupt the file transfer, click Cancel.

If you try to disconnect from the server or quit FirstClass before a file has been transferred, you are notified of the file transfer. To stay connected and continue the file transfer, click Cancel. To disconnect immediately and interrupt the file transfer, click Disconnect Now. If you do nothing, the file transfer is completed before you are disconnected or FirstClass quits.

The name of a file that has not been completely transferred is in italics.

Resuming file transfers to servers

Whether you are uploading a file directly to a container or attaching a file to a message, you can resume an interrupted transfer. If the file was being attached to a message, you can resume the file transfer as long as the message is unsent.

To resume a file transfer, select the partially transferred file, then repeat the file transfer procedure you followed originally. The balance of the file is transferred.

Resuming file transfers to your computer

To resume a file download to your computer, repeat the download procedure you followed originally. Select the same destination as you did before, and replace the existing file when prompted. The balance of the file is downloaded.

Note

If you try to resume file transfer by dragging the file, the file transfer will start from the beginning.